Panthers pounce on Bobcats

Meadow Heights' Dustin Hubler put up a shot over Delta's Tyler Martin in the first quarter Tuesday night at Meadow Heights. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge]

PATTON, Mo. -- Meadow Heights' Tyler Wagner knows that the big inside players on his team are battling injuries in the early stages of this year.

The 6-foot-5 Wagner himself broke his foot playing softball this summer. He said he's felt discomfort in the first couple of games.

Likewise 6-6 post player Luke Nitsch entered the season with a strained knee.

Wagner said because of these injuries others have stepped up and shot the ball well outside, including 6-2 Tyler Welker and 5-11 guard Derick Wilfong.

"When they step up, that's when we gained the lead pretty much," Wagner said. "When I'm just scoring it pretty much keeps us in the game, but when they start hitting we start pulling away from people."

Meadow Heights' Luke Nitsch drove past Delta's Gage Bowers in the first quarter Tuesday night at Meadow Heights. The Panthers won the game 81-66. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge]

That was the case Tuesday night when host Meadow Heights fell behind Delta early. Wagner was struggling to score and Nitsch was taken out with a possible ACL injury.

Wilfong netted 21 points and Welker added 17 as Meadow Heights came back to beat Delta 81-66. The Panthers overcame an early eight-point deficit.

Meadow Heights improved to 5-2 while Delta dropped to 0-4.

"Our 3-pointers were falling tonight," Wagner said. "Derick Wilfong and Tyler Welker hit like five in the first half and that really helped us out a lot."

Added Wagner about Welker: "He usually hits them. If you give him the ball, he can put it in the hole. He's a pretty good player."

Delta was led by Tyler Martin with 21 points. Chase Rhodes added 20 points, 11 of which came in the first quarter.

The Bobcats led 21-19 after the first quarter, but the Panthers came back to grab a 40-34 halftime advantage.

Meadow Heights outscored Delta 23-14 in the third quarter to grab a commanding lead heading into the final period.